2012 Ag Census – Investigate Midwesthttps://investigatemidwest.org
The Midwest Center for Investigative ReportingFri, 01 Apr 2016 04:32:21 +0000en-US
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.3Floods, dry weather expected this year as temperatures risehttps://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/22/floods-dry-weather-expected-this-year-as-temperatures-rise/
https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/22/floods-dry-weather-expected-this-year-as-temperatures-rise/#respondSat, 22 Feb 2014 05:22:29 +0000http://investigatemidwest.org/?p=1952California, the country’s largest agriculture producing state, needs a “miracle” to prevent a water crisis as the field crops and livestock there are in desperate need of water, a USDA official said. California is now listed in D4 (exceptional drought) category of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The state is experiencing its driest year on record.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- California, the country’s largest agriculture producing state, needs a “miracle” to prevent a water crisis as the field crops and livestock there are in desperate need of water, a U.S. Department of Agriculture official said.

California is now listed in the D4 -- exceptional drought -- category of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The state is experiencing its driest year on record.

Brad Rippey, a U.S. Department of Agriculture meteorologist, discussed the impacts on both California and the United States if the drought continues. He spoke during a special session on weather and agriculture at the 2014 Ag Outlook Forum . The USDA sponsored the two-day event, which concluded Friday.

The lack of precipitation in the western United States can be seen in the lack of snow pack in the region. The absence of snow pack means reservoirs and streams will not get replenished this spring.

About those drought maps:

Brad Rippey, a U.S. Department of Agriculture meteorologist, and Anthony Artusa, meteorologist with the Climate Prediction Center, presented data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Eric Luebehusen, another Department of Agriculture meteorologist, provided a history of the tool.

Eleven volunteer authors take turns inputting data and building the map that is released every Thursday, said Luebehusen. The positions are voluntary because there are no funds devoted to the process. The authors have never failed to produce a Drought Monitor, despite sequesters and government shutdowns

The U.S. Drought Monitor was launched in May 1999 as an experiment, but was quickly adopted and became operational in August of that year. It has gone through many visual and software changes as it has evolved into the tool it is today.

The drought categories are based on frequency of an event and are not subjective, said Luebehusen. Each time the Drought Monitor is published, the author’s name is listed on it. They are responsible for answering questions about the map’s content.

Reservoir water storage levels in California are at 65 percent of their average, said Rippey.

Rippey said 36 percent of the continental United States is in drought.

He said that west of the Mississippi River the country is trending dry, with few exceptions.

The winter wheat crop in the southern Great Plains could be affected by the drought in that area. Rippey said producers abandoned nearly 25 percent of the 2013 wheat crop due to water issues.

North Dakota and South Dakota could experience floods. The soil in those states already is saturated and may not be able to absorb more rain.

The Corn Belt will have a mixed bag of moisture with both drought and wet areas. Rippey said low temperatures last year in Iowa helped the soybean crop “weather” a drought last year.

Summer months could mean El Nino, warmer temperatures in the U.S., said Anthony Artusa, meteorologist with the Climate Prediction Center. Temperatures this spring should be on average, or enso-neutral, as Artusa put it.

Soil moisture levels are low in California, Arizona and in a region from Texas to Minnesota.

Artusa said the Tennessee Valley could see increased levels of precipitation in March, April and May. He also said global temperatures look to be higher than average this year.

]]>https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/22/floods-dry-weather-expected-this-year-as-temperatures-rise/feed/0Challenges to food safety prompt new federal action planhttps://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/21/challenges-to-food-safety-prompt-new-action-plan/
https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/21/challenges-to-food-safety-prompt-new-action-plan/#respondSat, 22 Feb 2014 04:59:32 +0000http://investigatemidwest.org/?p=1950 A recent report by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that Food Safety and Inspection Service is failing to protect consumers from Salmonella. The report, Weaknesses in FSIS's Salmonella Regulation , released in December, calls for mandatory recall authority and more stringent testing standards. This follows of a new federal food safety action plan.

Salmonellosis continues to be the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States. Finding ways to reduce Salmonella illness is a serious challenge for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food safety office, which is charged with keeping our food safe. The agency’s working group recently released a Salmonella Action Plan to help the agency meet the challenge.

Some recent Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to pork products; however, the Food Safety and Inspection Service does not currently sample pork products for Salmonella testing.

The action plan suggests the agency needs to develop and implement pork testing. Furthermore, a directive should be published that guides and improves sanitation conditions when dressing hogs. Reducing contamination from the carcass when the skin is removed could reduce pork Salmonella cases, states the plan.

“FSIS needs new enforcement strategies that take a systems or overall process control approach,” reads the plan. One step towards this would be to look at a company’s long-term Salmonella safety record. Additionally, posting establishments that have low to mid-level violations on the food safety agency’s website could help reduce incidents. Currently, poultry producers that have serious violations are posted online. This publicity has been linked to company’s taking action and implementing successful Salmonella reduction plans. The plan suggests posting lower level infractions could help as well.

The link between lymph nodes and Salmonella continues to be of interest. The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting first reported the possible link in the Cracks in the Systemseries. Researchers at Texas Tech University are studying the possible connection in beef cattle. Feeding cattle and chickens probiotics before they arrive at a slaughter facility is one possible way to reduce the prevalence of Salmonella.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports continued research in the area of lymph nodes and pre-harvest interventions should continue.

The plan also suggests the need to evaluate and possibly change sampling techniques in beef and pork. In the fall new ground beef sampling standards were announced. Changes included increasing the sample size to be in line with E. coli samples and altering testing cycles.

]]>https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/21/challenges-to-food-safety-prompt-new-action-plan/feed/0Lack of evidence stopped federal recall request in 2013 Salmonella outbreakhttps://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/21/lack-of-evidence-stops-federal-recall-request-in-2013-salmonella-outbreak/
https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/21/lack-of-evidence-stops-federal-recall-request-in-2013-salmonella-outbreak/#respondSat, 22 Feb 2014 04:35:29 +0000http://investigatemidwest.org/?p=1949An Office of Public Health official said the Food Safety Inspection Service agency was not able to link a specific Foster Farms product or production method directly to the Salmonella strain linked to a multistate outbreak. The U.S. Department of Agriculture food safety sector, lacked the appropriate evidence, said David Goldman, assistant administrator, Office of Public Health Science. Late last year, Costco and Kroger grocery stores recalled more than 40,000 pounds of Foster Farms chicken sold on the West Coast that was believed to have prompted a 23-state outbreak of Salmonella and sickened more than 400 people.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- An Office of Public Health official said the Food Safety and Inspection Service was not able to link a specific Foster Farms product or production method directly to the Salmonella strain linked to a multi-state outbreak.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's food safety sector lacked the appropriate evidence, said David Goldman, assistant administrator for the Office of Public Health Science.

Late last year, Costco and Kroger grocery stores recalled more than 40,000 pounds of Foster Farms chicken sold on the west coast that was believed to have prompted a 23-state outbreak of Salmonella and sickened more than 400 people.

Goldman spoke during a 2014 Ag Outlook Forum panel on outbreak containment and emergency response. The USDA-sponsored event spanned two days and included panels and discussions on food safety, climate change and diversity.

It concluded Friday.

Goldman said the federal Food Safety and Inspection Service did issue four Notices of Intended Enforcement to Foster Farms, which would have effectively closed the plant. This type of warning from the agency is a written letter to a meat producer informing the producer that the agency plans to withhold the inspection mark on meat if the company does not address problems.

Federal officials can request a recall, but cannot force a recall. Foster Farms did not recall any of its own product during the outbreak.

One Foster Farms plant is still affected by a Notice of Intended Enforcement. Federal officials continues to have an incident investigation team working with Foster Farms, said Goldman.

While the safety agency was not able to make a direct link to Foster Farms chicken and the 2013 Salmonella outbreak, Matt Wise -- team leader for the U.S. Public Health Service outbreak prevention team -- said he feels the investigation was a success.

He said Foster Farms is altering its production methods and the industry in having a serious conversation about the issue as a result of the outbreak.

“An outbreak represents a failure in the system,” said David Goldman, assistant administrator for the Office of Public Health.

He said there are procedures in place and multiple agencies working to ensure a safe food supply. An outbreak occurs when something goes wrong along the path.

“We depend on diligent work of state and local health departments,” said Goldman regarding identifying an outbreak and its possible source.

Wise, and also Alicia Cronquist -- a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment representative -- provided summaries of two recent foodborne illness outbreaks.

Confirming a foodborne illness outbreak can take time.

And once it is identified, the source product may not be.

Both Wise and Cronquist said it can be two to four weeks after a food item is consumed before it is confirmed the affected person is part of an outbreak. They also said it can take time even after an outbreak is identified before the source is found or illnesses prevented.

Cronquist said that 25 percent of foodborne illnesses in Colorado are part of an outbreak, while the majority are sporadic cases.

In-person interviews are a key element in determining if there is an outbreak and what the source might be. Cronquist said public health officials conduct multiple interviews with those who are sick, their neighbors and other individuals who may have come in contact with the food item.

Supermarket shopper or loyalty cards have proven a useful tool in tracing outbreaks and sources.

Cronquist and Goldman said shopper card data have been used effective in recent outbreaks. Health officials work with the stores to review the data.

Clearer, more thorough labeling can also help prevent outbreaks, said Wise. The case he presented involved broiled chicken livers. Wise feels the term “broiled” implied the items were ready-to-eat, but in actuality they needed further cooking.

Goldman said the Food Safety an Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration are taking steps to reduce the prevalence of foodborne illnesses. He cited a recent federal Salmonella Action Plan that expanded meat testing and a risk-assessment plan for Listeria in deli settings as examples of new initiatives.

]]>https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/21/lack-of-evidence-stops-federal-recall-request-in-2013-salmonella-outbreak/feed/0New virus threatens U.S. pork supplyhttps://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/21/new-virus-threatens-u-s-pork-supply/
https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/21/new-virus-threatens-u-s-pork-supply/#respondSat, 22 Feb 2014 04:19:31 +0000http://investigatemidwest.org/?p=1948The livestock and poultry industries are poised for expansion, but a new fatal virus and low inventory could prove challenging. Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) is taking its toll on the U.S. hog market. PEDv was first found in the U.S. in May 2013. Now nine months later, it is in 25 states and has killed 4 million pigs.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The livestock and poultry industries are poised for expansion, but a new fatal virus and low inventory could prove challenging.

The Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) is taking its toll on the U.S. hog market.

PEDv was first found in the United States in May 2013. Now, nine months later, it is in 25 states and has killed 4 million pigs.

Industry leaders and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials discussed PEDv and other challenges facing the livestock and poultry industries Friday at the 2014 Ag Outlook forum.

The Department of Agriculture-sponsored event spanned two days and included panels and discussions on food safety, climate change and diversity.

“PEDv is potent; one thimble full could infect all the pigs in the [United States],” said Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Producers Council.

The Pork Checkoff program has spent more than $1 million and is expected to spend another $500,000 in the upcoming months on PEDv research, said Wagstrom. Researchers are publishing and sharing data every two weeks in an effort to curb the spread.

Wagstrom said the U.S. strain of PEDv is 99.4 percent similar to an isolate found in China in 2012.

This U.S. outbreak is the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Peru, Mexico and Canada are all now reporting cases.

“Since this is a new virus, there was no immunity to it,” said Wagstrom of the challenges facing U.S. pork producers.

Wagstrom stressed this is a production disease and not a food safety issue.

The virus can have a 100 percent mortality rate in piglets less than four weeks of age. This is creating a shortage of market hogs.

“Growth in the number of pigs weaned per litter has been curtailed by the mortality rate,” stated a report presented by Shayle Shagam, a Department of Agriculture livestock analyst. The lack of young pigs will sharply limit the supply.

Shagam also presented projections for other livestock and poultry sectors.

The outlook stated that lower feed grain prices should help livestock and poultry producers expand operations.

Feed prices in 2014 are expected to be well below 2013 levels.

Corn is projected to be in the $4.20 to $4.80 per bushel range in 2014. Corn was $6.89 in 2012-13. Soybeans are projected at $425 to $465 per ton in 2014, down from $468 per ton in 2013-14.

Despite lower feed prices, beef producers are sending fewer cattle to slaughter. Those that are slaughtered must weigh enough to meet beef demand, and make it profitable for producers, said John Nalivka, president of Sterling Marketing, Inc.

Nalivka questioned Tyson’s decision to stop buying cattle that had been fed Beta Agonists – a food additive designed to help cattle gain weight. Beta Agonists can add 25 to 30 pounds to a carcass.

He said Beta Agonists increase feed efficiency in beef cattle.

In August 2013, Merck -- the company that produced a leading Beta Agonist, Zilmax -- suspended sales of the product. This was on the heels of reports of multiple incidents in which cattle that had been fed Zilmax refused to move. Cargill, JBS and National Beef joined Tyson and stopped accepting Zilmax-fed cattle at their processing plants.

Nalivka said using Beta Agnostics could be a way for producers to help meet the rising beef demand.

Consumers are eating more beef than ever before. He said the per capita consumption of beef in 1950 was 63.4 pounds per year. Today it is 76.5 pounds per year.

He also said beef processors are finding ways to get more usable product from each beef carcass.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2014 Agriculture Outlook forum concluded Friday with sessions on commodities, forestry, rural development and weather.

The two-day forum covered topics related to new producer assistance, food safety, and foreign and domestic markets. It also previewed the results of the 2012 Ag Census, a survey of America’s farms and food producers.

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting covered four of Friday’s sessions. Here are highlights from those sessions, reported by Sam Robinson.

1. Confirming a foodborne illness outbreak can take time

Panel members from U.S. Public Health Service and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment walked attendees through two recent foodborne illness outbreaks. Both said it can be two to four weeks after a food item is consumed before it is confirmed the affected person is part of an outbreak. They also said it can take time even after an outbreak is identified before the source is found -- or illnesses prevented.

2. Food Safety Inspection Service officials said they could not find the right evidence to request a recall of Foster Farms chicken

When asked about the Salmonella outbreak linked to Foster Farms chicken and why Food Safety and Inspection Service officials did not seek a recall, David Goldman -- assistant administrator for the Office of Public Health Science -- said they lacked evidence. He said the Food Safety and Inspection Service was not able to link a product or production method directly to the Salmonella strain. He also said Food Safety and Inspection Service officials did issue four Notices of Intended Enforcement, which would have effectively closed the plants. The Food Safety and Inspection Service can request a recall, but cannot force a recall.

The 2013 Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak sickened more than 400 people in 23 states. Foster Farms, headquartered in Livingston, Calif., did shut down operations briefly in January because of a cockroach infestation. Foster Farms never recalled its own products during the 2013 outbreak or the cockroach infestation.

3. Public Health official thinks the Foster Farms investigation was a success

While the Food Safety and Inspection Service was not able to make a direct link to Foster Farms chicken, Matt Wise -- team leader for the U.S. Public Health Service's outbreak prevention team -- said he feels the investigation was a success because of the positive outcomes. He said Foster Farms is altering its production methods and the industry is having a serious conversation about the issue as a result of the outbreak.

Feed prices in 2014 are expected to be well below 2013 levels. Corn is projected to be in the $4.20 to $4.80 per bushel range in 2014. Soybeans are projected at $425 to $465 per ton in 2014. This should help livestock and poultry producers expand operations. Market hogs, beef, sheep and lamb inventories were all down in 2013. Inventories of broilers, turkey and eggs are all expected to be up.

5. Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) is taking its toll on the U.S. hog market

PEDv was first found in the United States in May 2013. Now, nine months later, it is in 25 states and has killed 4 million pigs. The Pork Checkoff program has spent more than $1 million and is expected to spend another $500,000 in the upcoming months on PEDv research, said Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Producers Council. The virus can have a 100 percent mortality rate in piglets less than four weeks of age. This is creating a shortage of market hogs.

6. Size matters when it comes to carcass weight

Despite lower feed prices, beef producers are sending fewer cattle to slaughter. Those that are slaughtered must weigh enough to meet beef demand and make it profitable for producers, said John Nalivka, president of Sterling Marketing, Inc. Nalivka questioned Tyson’s decision to stop buying cattle that had been fed Beta Agonists – a food additive designed to help cattle gain weight. Beta Agonists can add 25 to 30 pounds to a carcass.

7. Mobile Slaughter units could be an area of growth in for small meat processors

It is getting increasingly difficult to own and operate a small meat processing facility, said Chris Young, outreach specialist with American Association of Meat Processors. Challenges for the industry include supply and cost of proteins, hiring and retaining employees, insurance costs and increasing regulations. Opportunities include the growing local food movement, as well as the need for local, custom and inspected slaughter facilities. Niche specialty-meat product markets also present opportunities for the industry. Young also said new mobile slaughter units could be a good way for people new to the industry to get a start without incurring a great deal of debt.

8. U.S. Drought Monitor proves more reliable than even the Post Office

Eleven volunteer authors take turns inputting data and building the map that is released every Thursday. The groups has never failed to produce a Drought Monitor, despite sequesters and government shutdowns. The U.S. Drought Monitor was launched in May 1999 as an experiment, but was quickly adopted and became operational in August of that year. It has gone through many visual and software changes as it has evolved into the tool it is today. The positions are voluntary because there are no funds devoted to the process.

9. California needs a “miracle” to prevent a water crisis

California is now listed in the D4 -- exceptional drought -- category of the Drought Monitor. The state is experiencing its driest year on record. Brad Rippey, a Department of Agriculture meteorologist, discussed the impacts of a drought on both California and the United States as a whole. California is the largest agriculture-producing state in the country. The field crops and livestock there are in desperate need of water. The lack of precipitation can be seen in the lack of snow pack in the region. The absence of snow pack means reservoirs and streams will not get replenished this spring.

10. Summer months could mean El Nino in the United States

Temperatures this spring should be average -- or enso-neutral, as Climate Predication Center meteorologist Anthony Artusa put it. This summer, the chances of warmer El Nino temperatures increases. Soil moisture levels are low in California, Arizona and in a region from Texas to Minnesota. Artusa said the Tennessee Valley could see increased levels of precipitation in March, April and May. He also said global temperatures look to be higher than average this year.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Land, capital and training are the three biggest challenges to new farmers, said one panelist from Thursday’s Ag Outlook forum.

Emily Oakley, director of the National Young Farmers Coalition, was one of three young farmers on a panel about the future of agriculture moderated by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

She urged the continuation of Farm Service Administration microloans and the development of farm internship opportunities

The USDA-sponsored Ag Outlook Forum takes place in Arlington, Va., this week with multiple panels and discussions on produce, farmers, markets and other U.S. agribusiness topics. The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting is following the event live.

During the forum, federal officials emphasized the need for more diversity in farming – younger people, minorities and women, in particular. However, many of the panel speakers and much of the video footage featured non-minority individuals.

Preliminary data from the 2012 Ag Census released Thursday indicate women make up 14 percent of principal operators.

The new census indicates young people in farming (25 to 34 years old) increased slightly from the 2007 census. The age groups from 35 to 54 saw a substantial decrease. The average age of a U.S. farmer is now 58.3 years old.

Michael O’Gorman is executive director of Farmer Veteran Coalition, which is headquartered in Davis, Calif. He discussed initiatives to help veterans enter farming and said he wants vets to see agriculture as an opportunity to enter a successful career.

There are many jobs in the industry that are not just self-employed farm ownership, O’Gorman said.

“It isn’t hard getting money. It is hard paying it back,” O’Gorman said in regards to veterans getting financing to enter farming.

He suggested veterans use their disability money to start farming.

A new online system utilizing the Cooperative Extension System was mentioned several times as a means to assist current and new agriculture producers.

The system has developed eXtension to encourage online dialogue and information sharing. This, too, is in line with the Department of Agriculture push to entice younger people to start farming.

"We see online use is generational," said Terry Meisenbach, communications and marketing leader with eXtension. He said younger producers find the online tools useful.

During his questions to the panel, Vilsack posed hypothetical situations in which the group members were advising potential new farmers.

Vilsack distinctively used female pronouns in describing the new recruits. He also asked questions about recruiting urban, presumably non-white youth into the industry.

Vilsack’s questions and word choice reflected the Department of Agriculture's increased attention to issues of diversity.

A brief Department of Agriculture film about the need for the next generation of producers, like the panel on young farmers, lacked noticeable ethnic diversity.

The Ag Forum concludes Friday. Follow @IMidwest and @Sam_Reporting on Twitter for live updates.

]]>https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/20/diversity-in-farming-encouraged-incentives-offered/feed/0New Census data shows decrease in the number of farms, growth in the average farm sizehttps://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/20/new-census-data-shows-decrease-in-the-number-of-farms-growth-in-the-average-farm-size/
https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/20/new-census-data-shows-decrease-in-the-number-of-farms-growth-in-the-average-farm-size/#respondFri, 21 Feb 2014 04:12:47 +0000http://investigatemidwest.org/?p=1943New agriculture census data shows the number of farms and acres in farming has gone down since 2007. The 2012 Ag Census data show counted 2.1 million farmers, a 4.3 percent decrease from the 2007 Ag Census. There was about a 1 percent loss of acreage in farm use over 2007, which is down to 915 million acres.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- New Agriculture Census data show the number of farms and acres in farming has gone down since 2007.

The 2012 Ag Census data revealed that there are now about 2.1 million farmers, a 4.3 percent decrease from the 2007 Ag Census. There was also about a 1 percent loss of acreage in farm use from 2007, down to 915 million acres.

"If all 2.1 million U.S. farms were a single company, it would be number three on the 2013 Fortune 500 list," -- National Agricultural Statistics Service flyer on 2012 Ag Census data.

Initial results from the 2012 Ag Census were released Thursday as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2014 Ag Outlook Forum. The USDA collects census data every five years. It shows the demographic data of America’s farms and farmers. It also shows production information for every county.

“The data is preliminary,” said Tom Vilsack, U.S. secretary of agriculture, during Thursday’s forum. He also urged the public not to compare results.

The data also show that the overall average size of the U.S. farm has increased, now at about 434 acres. The size of middle-sized farms decreased. Farms smaller than 10 acres and farms larger than 1,000 did not change.

Vilsack said National Agriculture Statistics Service staff worked on perfecting the reporting methods, and some of the prior modes of analysis were not used for this census.

Yet, the USDA provided many 2007 to 2012 Ag Census comparisons.

The data show the value of agriculture products sold by farms in the United States in 2012 was at $395 billion.

The majority of farms had sales less than $50,000 per year.

For only the second time in Ag Census history, crops surpassed livestock in sales. Both categories were up from 2007 -- crops by 48 percent at $212.4 billion and livestock by 19 percent at $182.2 billion.

The 2012 Ag Census shows good news for Iowa’s farm industry and bad news for Missouri's.

Iowa moved up to the number two spot in both crop and livestock sales, second only to California. Iowa had a $10 billion increase in the market value of goods, reporting $30.8 billion for 2012.

Iowa did lose farms, though.

The state recorded a 2.7 percent loss. Still, farms with 1,000 acres or more grew by 9.8 percent to more than 8,000.

Missouri, while still ranked second to Texas for the total number of farms, was noted as having a statistically significant loss of farms and the land in farming. The Show-Me state lost nearly 1 million farm acres. The state had less than 1 percent growth in the market value of agriculture goods.

During a Census review panel, an Ag Statistics Service spokeswoman pointed out areas that were statistically significantly different, not just different – such as the farm and land loss in Missouri.

Another such area was the growth in Hispanic and Latino principal operators. That area grew by 21 percent. Yet, there are still less than 70,000 producers in this category.

Asian producers tended to be younger -- about 56 years old -- compared to the typical U.S. farmer, who is typically 58 years old. Also, more than a third of Asian farmers operated farms earning more than $50,000 per year.

Overall, Department of Agriculture officials said minority ownership increased, with nearly 160,000 minority principal operators in 2012. That is up 12 percent from 2007.

However, white producers still make up the majority of U.S. farmers at 92 percent of the principal operators.

In 2002, the the Department of Agriculture started allowing up to three operators per farm to complete the census. This was allowed again in 2012, but the preliminary data only includes the principal operator.

Adding in additional operators could alter the final results that will be out in May.

The final data will also include county and state data, as well as per-crop details. Some geographic areas, such as Guam, that had been included in previous Censuses are not in the 2012 version because of government budget sequesters and the fall 2013 government shutdown.

Those two federal government events slowed down the analysis and reporting process, said Department of Agriculture officials.

]]>https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/20/new-census-data-shows-decrease-in-the-number-of-farms-growth-in-the-average-farm-size/feed/0Census, immigration and diversity start day one of the USDA Ag Forumhttps://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/20/census-immigration-and-diversity-start-day-one-of-the-usda-ag-forum/
https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/20/census-immigration-and-diversity-start-day-one-of-the-usda-ag-forum/#respondThu, 20 Feb 2014 23:36:51 +0000http://investigatemidwest.org/?p=1941Thousands are expected to gather in Arlington, Va. this week for the 2014 Agriculture Outlook Forum hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting will cover the event with daily updates live from Virginia. Here are highlights from the first day as reported by Sam Robinson. For continued live coverage, follow us on Twitter @IMidwest or @Sam_Reporting.

Thousands are expected to gather in Arlington, Va. this week for the 2014 Agriculture Outlook Forum hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The forum, which began Thursday, will take on topics related to new producer assistance, food safety, and foreign and domestic markets.

Data from the long-anticipated 2012 Ag Census was also released. The Census, taken every five years, shows in-depth demographics on America's farms, farmers and produce.

Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting will cover the event with daily updates live from Virginia.

Here are highlights from the first day as reported by Sam Robinson. For continued live coverage, follow us on Twitter @IMidwest or @Sam_Reporting

1. Global demand, supply for oilseeds and grains are up; prices fall

Corn prices could be down as much as 35 percent in 2013-14, according to Joseph Glauber, U.S. Department of Agriculture chief economist. U.S. planted area for major row crops is projected to decline slightly. Total acres planted of corn, wheat and soybeans are expected to be 227 million acres, down about 1.1 million acres. Rice planting is expected to be up 400,000 acres to 2.9 million acres. Global demand for grains and oilseeds is also up. This is driven by near-record soybean meal and record soybean exports.

2. New farm bill presents row crop farmers program choices

Covered commodity producers will have to make a one-time, irrevocable decision to select coverage, said Glauber. New programs are based on producers’ base acres, not actual planted acres. Therefore, there should be limited impact on acreage decisions.

3. Poultry and pork exports improve, while beef exports dip

Broiler exports are expected to reach record levels, increasing by 1.8 percent. Pork exports are expected to be up 3 percent. The pork industry is set for expansion due to low feed costs, but the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus is greatly affecting the supply of hogs. Decline in cattle inventory will limit expansion in that area. Beef exports are expected to be down 10 percent.

4. Overall financial health of agriculture is strong

Despite lower crop prices, farmers are doing well. The median farm income has been higher than the average U.S. household income. The aggregate farm debt is at 10.5 percent, the lowest level since the Economic Research Service started tracking it in 1960.

5. Organic, non-GMO foods are poised to expand

There is a global demand for healthy, organic, non-GMO foods. The U.S Department of Agriculture will work with industry leaders to further research this field. Marketing healthy foods to children is a priority. Sesame Street has agreed to be a part of a campaign for marketing fruits and vegetables to kids.

6. USDA is targeting new, young farmers

USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack led a panel discussion on programs to assist new and beginning farmers. The Department of Agriculture is working with organizations to provide assistance to veterans who wish to farm. Panelists encourage the continuation of Farm Service Agency microloan and training programs.

7. Vilsack stresses the need for immigration reform

In a press conference, Vilsack said he will not concede that immigration reform will not happen this year. “It has to happen,” he said. He noted on any given day that the agriculture industry needs 700,000 workers. This requires a stable workforce and immigration reform will help.

8. USDA needs to embrace diversity

Vilsack encouraged attendees to embrace diversity among producers and in crops. Areas that traditionally only grow one or two crops are seeing the loss of farms and land in farming. Diversifying crops will help producers weather bad years. Producers need to think about how they use their land. It's not just a rural issue.

9. Vilsack is worried about the middle

He expressed concern for the producers of mid-sized operations. Very small and very large operations saw increases in the 2012 Ag Census, while those in the middle declined. Farm operations in the Midwest and Rust-belt are struggling. The number of farms and land in farming in these regions has declined. He said the Department of Agriculture needs to work hard to help this group.

10. Preliminary 2012 Agriculture Census is out

The full Ag Census will be out in May. The preliminary report, released on Thursday, shows a decrease in the total number of U.S. farms to about 2.1 million (-4.3 percent). The number of minority principal operators is up, with Hispanics showing a 21 percent increase. California remains the country’s top ag state in sales. Iowa moves in to the second slot in sales. Texas still has the most farms.

]]>https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/20/census-immigration-and-diversity-start-day-one-of-the-usda-ag-forum/feed/0The 2012 Ag Census on Twitterhttps://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/20/the-2012-ag-census-on-twitter/
https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/20/the-2012-ag-census-on-twitter/#respondThu, 20 Feb 2014 22:09:19 +0000http://investigatemidwest.org/?p=1939The U.S. Department of Agriculture released preliminary data today on the 2012 Agriculture Census - taken every five years - during its Ag Outlook Forum in Arlington, Va. Investigate Midwest reporter Sam Robinson is reporting live this week. Here's a quick look at the latest data.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released preliminary data today on the 2012 Agriculture Census - taken every five years - during its Ag Outlook Forum in Arlington, Va. Investigate Midwest reporter Sam Robinson is reporting live this week. Here's a quick look at the latest data.

]]>https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/20/the-2012-ag-census-on-twitter/feed/0Ag forum to spotlight next crop of producershttps://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/19/ag-forum-to-spotlight-next-crop-of-producers/
https://investigatemidwest.org/2014/02/19/ag-forum-to-spotlight-next-crop-of-producers/#respondWed, 19 Feb 2014 12:00:51 +0000http://investigatemidwest.org/?p=1937Nearly 2,000 people are expected to gather this week in Arlington, Va., during a two-day forum to discuss the future of agriculture in the United States. The 2014 Agriculture Outlook Forum hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will take on topics related to new producers assistance, food safety, and foreign and domestic markets.

The event will kick off Thursday when Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack leads panel discussions related to agriculture markets and young farmers.

Panel members include representatives from the agriculture industry, government agencies and agriculture associations.

“The Forum provides a learning platform to inform policy decisions,” said Brenda Chapin, a Department of Agriculture spokeswoman. “The primary benefits are the exchange ideas and information centered around the big picture of the economic outlook for agriculture -- resulting in better informed industry participants and government officials.”

The Department of Agriculture has hosted outlook forums since 1923.

This year, the program’s major theme is providing services to new and young producers.

Preliminary data from the 2012 Census of Agriculture will become available for the first time at the Outlook Forum. Panelists will cover the latest information on the number of farms, the amount of land in farms, the value of sales and government payments.

They will also cover the latest in agriculture demographics.

Michael Froman, the U.S. trade representative, will provide the keynote address on Feb. 20. As the 11th trade representative, Froman is the primary advisor to the President on issues concerning international trade and investment, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative website.

The second day of the forum will offer sessions for discussing policy issues in conservation and rural development, as well as sessions on the weather’s impact on agriculture.

Agribusinesses, government officials, producers, researchers and other attendees will participate in break out lunch sessions that address specific commodity issues.

Chapin said the forum should address issues of interest to a wide array of stakeholders.

“For example, the commodity businesses may be very interested in the outlook discussions, while policy makers might have a stronger interest in the ‘Agriculture Supporting our Veterans’ session,” Chapin said.

“Nutrition: Who’s shaping America’s eating habits?” is a special session planned by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance. This event will look at food production, nutrition, healthy eating and food safety, according to the Outlook Forum website.